Crime Information and Communication Hub

Greater effort needed to rid SAPS of cops involved in crime

Efforts need to be intensified to rid the South African Police Service (SAPS) of police officers involved in crime and thus terrorising communities, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said on Sunday.

The involvement of police officers in crime undermined the confidence that the public had in law enforcement, Sanco national spokesman Jabu Mahlangu said.

This followed the arrest of three police officers and five other suspects by the Gauteng SAPS trio crimes task team (house and business robberies, and hijackings) for conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of drugs and unlicensed firearms.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the alleged involvement of the three police officers from Douglasdale [in Johannesburg] in crime. Efforts need to be intensified to rid the police service of those who are terrorising our communities, instead of protecting them,” Mahlangu said.

He also commended the SAPS officers for the arrest of the eight suspects who had reportedly planned to commit a robbery at the Fourways Mall in Johannesburg.